Sericulture Specialist

Job Summary Lead the technical implementation of all sericulture-related project activities. Conduct technical assessments of beneficiary households and identify suitable conditions for silkworm production. Provide practical training and coaching to beneficiaries on silkworm rearing, feeding, hygiene, disease prevention, cocoon harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Provide technical guidance on mulberry plantation, management, pruning, irrigation, and sustainable leaf production. Develop and implement seasonal sericulture production plans in coordination with project management. Support beneficiaries in establishing and maintaining appropriate silkworm-rearing facilities. Monitor the quality and productivity of silkworm production and identify technical challenges and corrective measures. Promote improved sericulture practices and appropriate technologies to increase productivity and product quality. Provide technical guidance on cocoon sorting, grading, storage, and preparation for marketing or further processing. Coordinate with the Business Development & Market Linkage Officer to identify buyers and market opportunities for cocoons and silk products. Maintain close coordination with relevant government departments, technical institutions, private-sector actors, and other stakeholders. Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide technical recommendations. Develop training materials, technical guidelines, and practical demonstrations for beneficiaries. Document lessons learned, success stories, production results, and technical achievements. Ensure that sericulture interventions are environmentally appropriate and sustainable. Prepare regular technical progress reports and contribute to overall project reporting. Perform other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor. Job Requirements Candidates with proven practical experience and strong hands-on technical skills in sericulture and silk production will be given preference. Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Entomology, Sericulture, Agronomy, or Horticulture (Master’s degree strongly preferred). Minimum 3–5 years of practical experience in sericulture/silk production or closely related agricultural livelihood programming. Demonstrated practical knowledge of silkworm rearing, mulberry cultivation, cocoon production, and silk value chains. Experience in providing technical training and hands-on coaching to farmers or community-based producers. Experience with NGO/INGO or donor-funded livelihood projects is highly desirable. Good understanding of local agricultural and livelihood systems in Herat and the Western Region is an advantage. Strong field monitoring, training, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop practical technical training materials and conduct practical demonstrations. Willingness and ability to travel frequently to rural and project locations. Good computer skills, particularly MS Office. Fluency in Dari, Pashto, and English.